Electric switch



June 24, 1930. F. A. Bo'EDrcHER ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Aug. 29, 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet l [NVE/WOR.

June 24, .1.930. F. A. BoEDTcHl-:R

'I ELECTRIC swITcH Filed Aug. 29, 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IIL TTOIVEV a the initial impulse of current through Patented .lune 24, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FRANZ A. BOEDTCHER,

OF BERGENFIELD, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO OTIS ELEVA'IOR COMPANY, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY ELECTRIC SWITCH Application filed August 29, 1921. Serial No. 496,260.

This invention is an electric switch and the object of the invention is to provide a switch for completing or breaking an electric circuit, which switch is in turn electrically operated, in such manner that the making or completing of the electric circuit, which it controls is accomplished momentarily. In other words, the switch of the present invention is so constituted that when placed under the influence of an electric current in one circuit, it will effect a momentary completion of another circuit, even though the first mentioned circuit continue to be energized.

Generally speaking, the present invention embodies a switch having relatively movable contacts which are included in an electric circuit and the contacts are normally insulated from one another, but they are adapted to be momentarily brought into electrical communication through the action of the movable core of a solenoid, so positioned that when the solenoid is operated, the overtravel of its core, due to the inertia of the initial impulse of current through 4the solenoid coil will effect the electrical association of the contacts of the switch.

In one of its preferred, practical forms, the

switch is so constructed that the core of the solenoid, during its overtravel, strikes the z.E pivot member which, in turn, effects the pressure of one contact against the other and by so doing completes the electrical circuit in which the switch is included. The solenoid is, however, so positioned that aftr t e coil of the solenoid, said solenoid serves to retract the core into a balanced position and by so doing permits of the breaking of the circuit in which the switch is included.

ln practice, the switch may be adapted for high efficiency by so constructing it that with each operation of the solenoid, the switch circuit may be completed a plurality of times, thus assuring an impulse of current through the switch circuit.

Features ofthe invention, other than those specified, will be apparent from the here-- inafter detailed description and claims, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

The accompanying drawings illustrate different practical embodiments of the present invention, but the constructions therein shown are to be understood as illustrative, only, and not as dening the limits of the invention.

Figure 1 is a front view of the preferred form of switch embodying thc present invention; and,

Figures 2 and 3 diagrammatically show a modified form of the switch.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Figure 1, 1 designates a solenoid embodying the usual coil having a liner sleeve 2, in which a core, generally designated by the reference character 3, is mounted for reciprocation. The core 3 may be conveniently constructed of a rod 4 preferably of wood or insulating material and covered for a portion of its length with a tubular sleeve 5 of soft iron. The liner 2 with the coil 1 thereon is rigidly supported in brackets 6 outstanding from the back plate 7, and at the lower portion of the back plate is an outstanding stop or foot 8, upon which the lower end of the core is adapted to normally rest when the coil 1 of the solenoid is d eenergized. Ordinarily, the solenoid stands in an upright position, so that the core thereof normally gravitates into engagement with the stop 8. The solenoid may be energized through any suitable electric circuit having leads 9 and 10 which include the coil of the solenoid in circuit.

Supported on the back plate 7 in the construction of Figure 1, is a pendulum 11, pivoted at 12 and provided at its lower end with a weight 13. The pivot 12 is preferably in the form of a screw which passes through the upper end of the pendulum and is normally fixed with respect to a metal plate 1.4-, bolted or otherwise secured to a block of insulation 15, which is, in turn, fixed to the back plate 7. The pendulum 11 constitutes one contact of the switch and is included in an electric circuit of which the wire 16 constitutes one lead preferably by attaching the lead to the metallic plate 14; of a binding screw 17. The plate 11i and pendulum 11 being both metallic, as well as the screw 1Q,

the binding of the lead 16 to the plate will Jnanitestly place the pendulum in electrical communication with the lead though, iii practice, this electrical communication maiY be inade more positive by clamping a metallic bracket 1S beneath the binding screw 1T and so constructing the bracket that it will reach oi'er the pendulum, as shown iii Figure l. Si light wire 19 niaj,v be secured at one off its ends to the other end et the bracket 1S l a set screw 20, while the other end of this wire maj-J be bound directlyv to the pendulum by a screw In this way, a direct electrical connection is established between the lead and the ixieiidulum il.

The pendulum is adapted to norniall)v giavitate into afi upright, neutral position, wheie`ii its lower end will substaiitialljv equidistant between the it'iee ends of two pii'ot arnis 22 and These two a 'nis are piroted to a metallic plate 2l by means of" pivot sci'eis and the metallic plate 2 is, in tu n, rigidlj. secured to a block ot' insulation 2G, lixedly mounted on plate T. Springs 2T ioiiiia arms and Q3 toi vard the pentiuliun l1 and into a posi ion wherein their tree ends will lthe pendulum, though tree from M therewith, as l own in tall linee`I ii Figure l.

lll'lie ai'ins 2Q and talen with the plate collectively. constitute, generallyv speal-- ing, the other contact of Vthe switch, when it. pendulum ll is considered as one contact. rllliis second Contact is included in the electrical circuit be controlled by attaching' the other lead 16 ot said circuit to the plate Eel y a binding screw 28.

will be apparent with this construction. that so long the pendulum ll occupies a position, the circuit of which the i 6 torni a part, will be broken It will be also apparent that t it t ciicuit will be established troni the lead 1G to the lead 16 or Tice Versa.

In accordance with the present invention, thi

iiiotenieiit et the pendulum out oi neit 1 A'tion is accomplished by the core 3 Iolenoid which is adapted to and operate upon an ariii 29 termed incr tixedlj.' attached to tbe pendulum As clearly shown re l, the rin as well as the pen- -l, extend radially ot the screw l2. iractice, the arm and pendulum are l 1, 1'., SG1 1i 4 ba' ,tg-:,117 f ,L n toepast a.y su .stali ia i iig il l L QSL C, The pai-ts are so associated that the free end of the arni Q9 is positioned directly above the upper end ot the core 3 of the solenoid and at tuch distance thereaboif'e that it will be 'Ere e troni engagement by the core both the core is in its noriiialltr depressed when o'lrited 3 and uiienergized positioned, desi in Figure l, and when the core ily enc"- gized and at rest with c iireiit [lowing through the solenoid, so that at these tiines, the switch circuit is noriiiallj,v broken.

I have i'ound, liowei that is passed through a solenoid provided with t i core having weicht. i the initial iin nilse of current i y yli 'be core ot the solenoid e lli@ not iniuait ot t /froleaoirl into a balanced condition, but bewne coni- "ng into such balanced condition, overtrai'els the balanced position l i'etracts inte` the balanced pf lVith tls in inurl. the ,natia are so rela-- tively positovei't navel, sti" ioned that the core wil in itrff the aini 2f) and torce it it bach against ine tension o" ul'ni'ardly. By dob". Lt is rotated through a great?,l fr ingula travel tile reni i1' 2i'. This bach' and forth sw i `ilionduluni, causing it to alttxnately contact with the ariasl Q2 and 25?, und Vire verda. will continue until the torce. o pulse has been eizpetlvf the springs 2T, but l each time the peruluuin e either of the arms 22 or 22, a ciieuit through the switch is conipleieil and will lfurtlier sippear that there 'ill be a wipingaction b-w tween the c liiidrici wei t' et' the pendulum and tle arciatelj, avoid curls ol' the arms 22 and Q55. which contactii'ig sui-tace;

bright and li'ee from corrosion,y .so that proper electrica' contact mairesult. In order to ril :iQ-inst the aiins 22 and bein;A :own so as to place an undue .s i lle :inline 2T. stops il() :ire prete i ded which serve to liinit the outward pivotal :movement ot' said arnis.

Frein what has been said with reference to the construction olf Figure l. it is clear that each time current is passed through the solenoid coil, a circuit, includingl the l aids 16 and 1G, will be iosil'iiely completed at least once and it is traind, in practice, that it is ordinarily completed by thisA construction two or three tiiiies an)v way. The :f lvantage oi this operation tbl it the instruments, which may be incli .ed in the switch circuit7 fail to operate on the first impulse ot cu .reiit, they may be made to Ill) operate on the second or third impulse, thereby assuring the operation of such instruments.

In practice, the solenoid as Well as the other parts mounted on the face of the back plate 7 are preferably enclosed within a suitable casing, not shown.

In the constructions shown in Figure 1 of the drawings the part 11 is illustrated as a pendulum which is electrically connected with one of the leads 16 while the other lead llin is associated with the plate 24 which carries the pivoted Contact arm 23. I wish it understood however that in practice a pair of contact arms may be used in lieu of each contact arm 23 and connected respectively to the leads 16 and 16a so that when the pendulum swings it will engage both arms simultaneously at the termini of its swing and when so operating will act as a bridge piece to bridge said arms and complete the circuit. By arranging contact arms in pairs as described, I may control any number of circuits without positively including the pendulum but simply using said pendulum as a bridge piece.

I am further aware that since a pendulum is merely a weighted pivoted member, a circular dislr weighted at one side with a projection like the ball-shaped end 13 will operate equally well except that its operation would necessarily be somewhat slower than the pendulum, due to the inertia or momentum oi. such disc which would operate after the manner ot a fly wheel. The slower moving weighted disc might be employed to advantage it a relatively long momentary contact or closing of the electric circuit is de sired. Since such a disc would operate more sluggishly than a pendulum.

In Figures Q modified i'orm ot arrangement is illustrated. In this modified form, the back plate 7a has mounted thereon a solenoid 1, which may 1 have a single winding or may have a double winding. That is to say, the solenoid 1, as well as the solenoid 1 ot the present invention may be a single solenoid or two solenoids connected in series. The latter construction is shown in Figures 2 and The leads of the solenoid 1rl are designated 9L and 10 and form a part of any desired operating circuit.

The solenoid 1a is provided with a core 3, the same in all essential'particulars as the core ot' the solenoid 1, and the lower end of the back plate has a stop 8, corresponding to the stop 8 for supporting the core of the solenoid when in depressed, idle position.

The switch of Figures Q and 3 difl'ers somewhat trom the switch of Figure 1. It en'ibodies a block of insulation 31, rigid with the back plate and preferably mounted with in a casing 32, secured to the back plate by an angle bracket 33.

and 3 oi the drawings, a

On the block of insulation 31 are secured two leaf springs 3a and 35, which normally extend in substantially parallel relation, though the spring 34 is longer and extends beyond the spring 35 and is bent to form a heel 36 adapted to bear against a rocher 37 pivoted at 38. The rocher carries a rigid arm 23.() and the parts are so associated that when the leaf spring dll bears against the rocher 37, it serves to normally hold the same in neutral position. The rocker may, however, be oscillated on its pivot 38 to bring the arm 39 into contact with the leaf spr ig i binding screw ll0 serves to bind one lead 16 or the switch circuit to the leaii spring Si, while the binding screw il serves to bind the other lead 16a of the switch circuit to the spring 35.

In the normal position of the parts, the leai` spring will bear against the rocker and maintain the saine in neutral position, but it the rocker is oscillated to bring the arin into engagement with the spring the switch circuit of which the leads 1G and. 1G form a part will be completed.

The parts are so arranged that the rocker will lie in the path oi overtravel of the solenoid core 3 and a bumpc1 i2 is preferably associated with the roch i tc be engaged by he cere when the solenoid 134 is ener gized. W hen such energization takes place, the Core moves rapidly upward oifertravels balanced position and tilts the roel-ier, shown in dotted lines in Fi re 2, to complete the switch circuit, w upon said core immediately is retracted i balanced position shown in Figure 3, thereby permitting of the immediate reopening ot' the switch.

The casing 252 may be provided with a suitable cover plate, thereby enclosing the leaf springs, though, .in practice, I may enclose the entire device within a sui.,..5le casing.

The fundamental diiierence between the constructions oi: Figure and that oi Figures Q and is that er: time the core of the solenoid is energized in the construction of Figure 1, the switch. circuit will be rapidly mado and broken plurality of times, while in the construction of Figures 2 and 3, the switch will be closed only once for each operation ot the solenoid.

In the construction of Figure 1, a single solenoid winding vis illustrated, while in Fig uros 9 and 3, a duplex solenoid is shown, the windings of which are in series. I wish it understood that I may use these solenoid arrangements alternately in either construction., though I ordinarily prefer to use the duplex arrangement since greater movement oi' the core may be tl'nis ell'ected with a relatively small amount of current.

I am further aware that details of the switch described may be modiiied or valili lil

ried, as by the substitution of equivalents without departing from the present invention which is to be understood as broadly novel as is commensurate with the appended claims.

Having thus fully described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In an assembly of the character described a plurality et spaced contacts, normally insulated from one another', an operating member adapted when actuated to etlect the completion ot a circuit through the contacts, a solenoid provided with a movable core and positioned in such relationship to the operating member that when the solenoid is energized and the core magnetically held at rest, said core will be free i'rom engagement with the operating member, means to permit the core to retract in a direction a vay from the operating member when the solenoid is (le-energized and said operating member extending into the path oi overtravel ot' the core, whereby when the solenoid is initially energized, the overtravel of the core vill actuate the operating member to ei'liect closing of the circuit.

2. In combination; a solenoid having a stationary coil and a movable core, said core being biased to an unattracted position with respect to said coil and said coil, upon energization, causing movement ot said core from said unattracted position through its position ot magnetic balance with respect to said coil to a point beyond and then back to its position ot magnetic balance; and switch mechanism positioned to be operated by said core during said movement thereof when said core is beyond said position of magnetic balance.

In combination; a solenoid having a stationary coil and a. movable core, said core being biased to an unattracted position with respect to said coil and said coil, upon energization, causing overtravel ot' said core and then the return thereof to a position of magnetic balance with respect to the coil; and switch mechanism positioned to be operated by said core upon over-travel thereof so that only a momentary operation of said switch mechanism is effected even though the energization of said coil is prolonged.

al. In an assembly of the character described, a solenoid having a stationary coil and a movable core adapted to normally partake of a retracted position, switch mechanism enibodying a circuit closing member normally maintained in circuit breaking position, an operating member operatively connected with the circuit closing member and projecting into the path ot' overtravel of the core of the solenoid, whereby, when the solenoid coil is initially energized, the core will overtravel and engage the operating member for the purpose of actuating the circuit closing member.

5. In an assembly of the character described, a solenoid having a stationary coil and a movable core adapted to normally partalfe of a retracted position` switch mechanism embodying a Contact, a gravity contact member normally gravitating into neutral position vith respect to said contact, an operating member associated with the gravity contact member and extending into the path of overtraaf'el ot the solenoid core, whereby, when the coil is initially energized, the overtravel of the core will actuate the operating member to elliect movement of the gravity contact member into engagement with the contact.

(S. In an assembly ol? the character described, a weighted member electrically connected with one lead of an electric circuit, a plurality of contacts positioned in the path of oscillation of the weighted member and so associated therewith that when the weighted member gravitates into normally neutral position, it will be Yfree from engagement with the contacts, said contacts being electrically connected with the other lead ot said circuit, an operating member operatively connected with the weighted member, and a solenoid provided with a movable core positioned in proximity with the operating member and in .such relation thereto that the operating member will be in the path of overtravel of the core oi the solenoid when the solenoid is initially energized, whereby the energizing ot the solenoid will elliect oscillation ot the weighted member to engage said contacts in succession.

7. In an electric switch, a pendulum, a member mounted on the pivot ot.' the pendulum and movable therewith with its free end arranged in the path ot' a movable core of a solenoid, two pivoted arms between which the lower end of the pendulum normally lies in neutral position, and a spring for each arm arranged to act thereon to normally hold the tree ends ot said arms toward each other, said arms being movable outward or away from each other by contact ot' the end of the pendulum therewith, said pendulum and the arms being of conductive material to permit the feed of electrical current therethrough when the pendulum contacts with said arms.

In testimony whereof I have signed the foregoing specilication.

FRANZ A. BOEDTCHER.

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